New law on calorie labelling 'dangerous' for eating disorders

Starting this week, restaurants with more than 250 employees are legally required to include calorie counting on their menus in the UK.

The new government law is meant to tackle obesity, and some UK restaurants are already doing so. But does calorie labeling help with the problem, or can it be detrimental to the mental health of diners, who may already be suffering from eating disorders?

A woman from Liverpool has shared her fears around calorie labeling and the risks it can pose to people like her. The 30 year old Toxtheth describes her relationship with food as “complicated”, after battling depression, OCD, anxiety and anorexia for six years.

Sophie Cook, founder of Sophie’s kitchen – a bakery Liverpool-based company 8, has spoken about his struggles with food. She said: “It took me a while to realize I was sick, but I guess that’s what mental health has to do with it.

“When you’re struggling with yourself, you know exactly how difficult it can be, so you spend a lot of time making sure everyone around you doesn’t feel the same way. You lose touch with yourself.

“I loved going out with my friends to eat and drink. Little by little, over time, I found myself missing more and more social events.”

She taught herself to bake, the only thing she could do to “make people smile.” Unfortunately, Sophie’s health continued to decline and she was admitted to a psychiatric unit called Oaktrees in Wirral.

Past photograph of Sophie Cook
(Image: Sophie Cook)

Sophie said: “I was hospitalized for seven months in total, four of which I spent in a wheelchair. Eventually, I was allowed a few hours out of hospital.”

“I decided that if I wanted to get better, I needed to get better for myself, not just because I was doing what the doctors told me to do. I started looking for what would motivate me to get better and found a course at Liverpool Community College in baking and cake decorating.”

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Finding the class motivated Sophie to get back on her feet. Printing her college application and posting it on the wall of her hospital room was a “constant reminder” for her to be well enough to go to college and complete the course.

She said: “The day I weighed enough to leave the hospital, I was discharged. I haven’t seen a doctor or psychiatrist since.”

“Different things work for different people and I’ve seen firsthand how much professional support can help other people. Personally, I’ve taken the time to become aware of what triggers me, what I find difficult, and what makes me happy, but still there are triggers, and calories are one of them.”

Upon learning of the new calorie labeling laws in May 2021, Sophie was “mad” about the idea behind it and still is. There were many petitions to try to prevent the law from going ahead, but “they have all been ignored.”

The baker said: “I didn’t and still don’t understand what is to be gained by putting calories on menus, most organizations already have nutritional values available and people can go online to find everything they need in most places. But seeing calories on a menu could have serious repercussions for someone struggling with an eating disorder.

“To this day, seeing calories still makes me feel anxious. I’ve spent years figuring out my triggers and working on them, but one thing I can’t shake is the shock of seeing that number.

“I’ve taken steps to educate myself on what calories are and how they add up, now I can look at a food and understand where those numbers really come from. That a high number doesn’t necessarily make it a bad choice.”

“But no matter how far I’ve come, I still find myself writing down the calories of what I’m eating. I freely admit that when I have a bad day, my eating disorder comes back, and no matter how much it has taught me, my brain will forget all this and I will fight with certain foods based on the caloric content.

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She told ECHO: “The government really needs to understand mental health. Anyone can read books and get grades, but that doesn’t mean you really understand how people feel, and that’s the most important thing about mental health.

“Mental health is not black and white, people can have the exact same mental health ‘problem’ but feel completely different, and that is why education is so important. People need to be educated.” [about mental health] from a young age, not just because it’s trending on social media every time a celebrity dies due to mental health, or it’s a day like world mental health day.”

Help lines and support groups

The following are helplines and support networks for people to talk to, mostly listed in the NHS Options website

samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write how you feel, or if you are concerned about being heard over the phone, you can email Samaritans at [email protected].
CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) is a leading movement against suicide. It has a helpline in the UK and webchat 17:00 to 24:00 365 days a year for anyone who has hit a wall for whatever reason, who needs to talk or find information and support.
PANDAS (0808 1961 776) has a free helpline and offers a support service for people who may be suffering from perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postpartum depression, as well as support for their family or network.
child line (0800 1111) has a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number will not appear on your phone bill.
PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organization that supports adolescents and young adults who feel suicidal.
Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity that provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
students against depression is a website for students who are depressed, moody, or have suicidal thoughts.
UK bullying is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.
Amparo provides emotional and practical support to anyone who has been affected by suicide. This includes dealing with the police and coroners; assist with media inquiries; prepare for and attend an investigation and help access other appropriate local support services. Call 0330 088 9255 or visit www.amparo.org.uk for more details.
hope center is the UK’s most comprehensive national mental health support database. Download the free app, visit hubofhope.com or text HOPE to 85258 to find relevant services near you.
Youth Advisory Service – Provide mental health and emotional wellbeing services to children, young people and families in Liverpool. phone: 0151 707 1025 email: [email protected]
paul’s place – Providing free counseling and group sessions to anyone living on Merseyside who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. Telephone: 0151 226 0696 or email: [email protected]
The Martin Gallier Project – offer face-to-face support to people considering suicide and their families. Opening hours 9.30-16.30, 7 days a week. Telephone: 0151 644 0294 email: [email protected]
james place – supports men over the age of 18 who are experiencing a suicidal crisis by providing prompt access to therapy and support. Call 0151 303 5757 Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or visit https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/